Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-03-02
LEGISLATIVE,
The Closing Of the Minnesota Legislature and its
Work,


The fourth day of March witnessed the
end OF the Minnesota legislature. The linn
it for the passage OF bills was the
third OF March extended as usual by turn
ing back the clock hands to the small
hands OF the fourth. Upon reassembling,
the senate INDUCED in the usual horse play,
presented thanks to Chaplain and Speaker.
The senate then proceeded to nom
mate and elect president pro tenn. The
following nominations were made: Sena-
tor Buchanan, Ward. Scheffer, Durant and
Ives. On the first vote they received:
Buchanan, 1G; Ward, 8; Scheffer, 2;
Durant and Ives 6. All others withdrew
but Senators Buchanan and Duraht. The
former was elected by n vote of 81 to 8.
Senator Buchanan took The chair, with
thanks for the honor conferred. A commu-
nication from the governor was presented.
BY vote of ii to II the senate went in
to executive session. The communicate
on being read proved to be the appoint
ments OF some three hundred notaries
public. They were confirmed. The senate
then adjourned sine die.
The House also had its fun. There was
the usual display of boisterous conduct
from a few members who amused them.
selves by throwing books across the
room. This was put stop to, however,
when Mr.. Potter received a blow that cut
IL serious gashin his cheek, and Mr.. Potter,
Jr. began search for the individual who
threw the missile, with the intention OF
administering q well deserved thrashing.
The house appropriated $3.50 for ex-
aiming the capitol. By res solution, ALSO the
following amounts were allowed:
Chief Clerk Howard, $500 for extra SER
vices; ianitor. $25 for extra services in jul
dietary committee room; J. II. Burnes, rep
ntot nf la n
Wilcoxson, representative OF the Brew.
ers' Gazette, 500. Mr.. Donnelly
was presented with portrait OF himself in
crayon, and Speaker Merriam, with the
thanks of the house, and large
frame containing q picture of all
it's members. No further business coming
before the house, at exactly half-past -
o'clock the speaker declared the body
adjourned sine die. The list OF bills killed,
nearly column.
The laws that have been enacted are
about seven hundred out of LOO bills in
troduced Their character, rs rule, is of a
local nature, and interests only certain indi-
viduals, but beyond them the legislation for
the veal of the state at large has been vital,
more so than is appreciated just now. 1t is
scarcely probable that the public knows at
Important bills passed accomplish The OBJ
ject of this article is to give IN detail as far
as possible the purport of these bulls
High license is law for two years at
least-the figures being $1,000 and $500
AS supplementary laws to it are those for
bidding MI gaming in saloons; the penalty
bill for "blind pigs" which provides for pun
ishment and imprisonment; and the penalty
bill for the enforcement of high license,
which requires saloonkeepers to give
bonds, and provides punishment for
officials who do not enforce the law
The penalties are severe. This covers the
temperance legislation of the session. The
railroad legislation secured by Mr.. Donneliy.
and the grain laws championed by Mr.. Matt
son, practically carry out the recommended
tions OF the board of railroad commissioners
made in their last annual report, and need
no detailed analysis here. Constitutional
amendments must now be published
throughout the papers of the state before
they are voted upon, and telegraph COM
panies are taxed upon their gross earnings
The old-fashioned libel law is abolished, and
q new one requiring papers TO be given time
for retraction before sued is substituted
Foreign insurance companies now attempt
ing to do business IN the state without COM
plying with the state law are to be prose-
cuted by the state insurance commissioner,
fine of $1,000, half of which
goes to the commissioner. Undertakers
and their assistants will no longer have to
perform jury duty, nor will postmasters and
their assistants Thanks to a strong public
sentiment III that direction and the indie
fatiCcs5le labors of MIR. Freeman of Stearns,
the new state prison at st Cloud is to be a
reforLlatory, under the control of board of
six managers, who are to be Gordon E Cole,